Furniture article with interchangeable panel set

ABSTRACT

Furniture, such as a bed, dresser, cabinetry has a display system affixing a stack of interchangeable decorative panels to the furniture. The display system has an overlaying panelar frame that captures the stack of panels and has at least one elongated fastener securing the overlaying panelar frame on to a surface of the furniture item. The stack of interchangeable panels are each visually different such as having different colors and/or patterns and can be sandwiched between the overlaying panelar frame and the mounting surface in a pocket to immovably maintain the interchangeable panels against the furniture component. The overlaying panelar frame defines at least one opening or widow through which the outermost interchangeable panel is visible. The stack of interchangeable panels can then be rearranged such that a different panel is placed on top of the stack or the outermost position and thereby be visible through the opening in the overlaying panelar frame. The fastener may extend through each of the decorative panels to further secure them in place.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/659,277, filed on Jun. 13, 2012, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a display system forpositioning panels on furniture item components to provide a desiredaesthetic appearance to the furniture 5 item. More specifically, thepresent invention is directed to a display system for releasablypositioning interchangeable panels that can be exchanged to change theaesthetic appearance of the furniture item.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Furniture is often selected as much for the aesthetic appearance of thefurniture item as the intended function of the furniture item. As such,consumers often devote considerable attention to whether the appearanceand color of the furniture item matches the decor of the intended roomfor the furniture item and the other furniture or other items in theroom. Similarly, consumers often move or replace a furniture item if thedecor in the room or the consumer's taste changes. In particular,children often have distinctive and constantly changing tastes that canresult in a furniture item being deemed “unsuitable” even while thefurniture item is still fully functional.

A primary factor in the aesthetic appearance of a furniture item is thecolor and design of the exterior surfaces of furniture items. Inparticular, the color and general design or appearance of the headboard,footboard, the face of drawers, the cabinet doors and other portions ofthe furniture item that make up a substantial portion of the overallexterior surface of the furniture item can dramatically affect theoverall appearance of the furniture item. As a result, certain furnitureitems comprise interchangeable panels integrated into various exteriorfurniture components. These can comprise beds, dressers, cabinets, nightstands and the like. The interchangeable panels have different aestheticappearances such that the panels can be swapped with panels to suit theconsumer's changing tastes or decor. The inherent challenge ofinterchangeable panels is releasably engaging the panels by thefurniture components and not having the attachment system be visible andobvious, such as openings cut into drawers for sliding the panels.Interchangeable panels can be integrated into furniture components bypositioning the panel against the frame of the furniture component suchthat the panel can be viewed through the opening in the frame such asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,071. A backing is then placed againstthe rear of the interchangeable panel and attached to the frame tomaintain the interchangeable panel against the frame. A drawback of thisapproach is that interchangeable panels are often relatively thin oreven flexible requiring that the backing provide the necessarystructural support. Alternatively, the slot for receiving theinterchangeable panel can be cut in the frame allowing panels to be slidinto the frame such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,677. In thisconfiguration, the frame often comprises a door or gate for maintainingthe panel within the slot.

A common drawback of the presently available systems for affixinginterchangeable panels to a furniture item is that the frame of thefurniture item must typically be modified or be specially constructedfor receiving the interchangeable panel. As the current trends infurniture construction emphasize efficient construction where a singlepart may be used in several furniture item lines, a speciallyconstructed or modified furniture component may form a bottleneck in theoverall assembly of the furniture item. As such, there is a need for anefficient means of releasably integrating interchangeable panels into afurniture item.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to furniture with a display systemaffixing a stack of interchangeable decorative panels to the piece offurniture. In one embodiment of the present invention, the displaysystem comprises an overlaying panelar frame that captures the stack ofpanels and has at least one elongated fastener securing the overlayingpanelar frame on to a surface of the furniture item. The stack ofinterchangeable panels have each visually different such as havingdifferent colors and/or patterns and can be sandwiched between theoverlaying panelar frame and the mounting surface to maintain theinterchangeable panels against the furniture component. The overlayingpanelar frame defines at least one opening or widow through which theoutermost interchangeable panel is visible. The stack of interchangeablepanels can then be rearranged such that a different panel is placed ontop of the stack or the outermost position and thereby be visiblethrough the opening in the overlaying panelar frame.

In one aspect, the elongated fastener is extended through the overlayingpanelar frame and the interchangeable panels by way of holes in theinterchangeable panels and into the mounting surface to affix theoverlay panelar frame and interchangeable panels to the mountingsurface. In this configuration, the elongated fastener can furthercomprise an integrated handle protruding from the overlaying panelarframe for tool-less operation of the fastener to engage or disengage theoverlaying panelar frame from the mounting surface. The integratedhandle can be shaped and/or colored to match the overlaying panelarframe such that the handle matches or blends into the aestheticappearance of the overlaying panelar frame when the fastener is insertedto retain the overlaying panelar frame against the mounting surface orthe secondary panel. The integrated handle can also serve as the handlefor manipulating furniture components such as drawers or cabinet doors.

In another aspect, the fastener can be threaded from a secondary panelhaving a mounting surface to which the stack of panels are to bemounted. The fastener, such as a bolt, extends through the secondarypanel, through the stack of interchangeable panels, and through theoverlaying panelar frame such that a portion of the elongated fastenersprotrudes from the overlaying panelar frame. In this configuration, thefastener can further comprise an end cap defining a bore hole orthreaded hole into which the fastener can be threaded into affix theoverlaying panelar frame onto the secondary panel. As with integratedhandle, the end cap can be shaped and/or colored to match the overlayingpanelar frame such that the handle matches or blends into the aestheticappearance of the overlaying panelar frame when the fastener is insertedto retain the overlaying panelar frame against the mounting surface orthe secondary panel. In one aspect, the end cap can also serve as thehandle for manipulating furniture components such as drawers orcabinets. In another aspect, the end cap can serve to conceal the end ofthe elongated fasteners and blend the end of the fastener into theaesthetic appearance of the overlay panel.

In one aspect, the overlaying panelar frame can comprise a primary framedefusing a primary opening and a secondary structure positioned withinthe primary opening. The secondary structure can further comprise atleast one ornamental frame portion defining at least one secondaryopening within the primary opening. A picture or other printed image canbe positioned beneath the ornamental frame portion such that the frameportion engages and frames the picture or printed image and to retainthe picture or printed image within the ornamental frame portion. Inthis configuration, the consumer can further customize the aestheticappearance by incorporating pictures or printed images into the overallaesthetic appearance of the furniture component.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method ofreleasably affixing at least one interchangeable panel to a mountingsurface comprises providing an overlaying panelar frame defining atleast one opening, the overlaying panelar frame having four frame memberportions arranged in a rectangle and each having an inwardly elongaterecess that is positioned at the mounting surface when the frame isattached to the furniture item, the collective recesses on the framemembers defining a capture recess for securing the stack of panels, andfurther having at least one elongated fastener to secure the assemblytogether. The method further comprises positioning the interchangeablepanel against the mounting surface and positioning the overlayingpanelar frame over the interchangeable panel to sandwich theinterchangeable panel between the overlaying panelar frame and thesurface of the furniture component. The method also comprises extendingthe fastener through the overlaying panelar frame and interchangeablepanels such that the end of the fastener passes through the mountingsurface into the substrate therebelow to affix the overlaying panelarframe to the mounting surface, wherein the outermost interchangeablepanel is visible through the opening. The visible panel can be switchedby removing the fastener, separating the overlaying panelar frame fromthe mounting surface, reshuffling the stack of decorative panels, andreplacing the overlaying panelar frame with the stack of decorativepanels again between the overlying panelar frame and the mountingsurface and attaching the fastener.

In one aspect, the mounting surface can comprise a planar surface of afurniture component. In yet another aspect, the mounting surface cancomprise a secondary panel to form a modular display system for theinterchangeable panels. In this configuration, the method furthercomprises affixing the secondary panel to a planar surface of afurniture component.

In one aspect, a plurality of interchangeable panels can be positionedbetween the overlaying panelar frame and the mounting surface. In thisconfiguration, the method can further comprise stacking the plurality ofinterchangeable panels such that the outermost interchangeable panel isvisible through the opening in the overlay panel. The method furthercomprises securing the frame to the mounting surface. The method alsocomprises shuffling the plurality of interchangeable panels to changethe outermost interchangeable panel.

A feature and advantage is that there are not visible means of seeingthat a stack of interchangeable panels is stored within the displaysystem. That is there are no slots or the like and only the outermostpanel is visible. Additionally, the mechanism to disassemble and switchthe exposed panel is simply the removal of the knob in embodiments,removal of the exterior panel and reshuffling the stack and replacingthe panel and knob.

The above summary of the various representative embodiments of theinvention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment orevery implementation of the invention. Rather, the embodiments arechosen and described so that others skilled in the art can appreciateand understand the principles and practices of the invention. Thefigures in the detailed description that follow more particularlyexemplify these embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display system mounting to a furnitureitem according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a display system during assemblyaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of a display system according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a display system during assemblyaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a display system during assemblyaccording to an embodiment of the present invention having imagespositioned within the display system.

FIG. 6 is an exploded elevational view of an embodiment of the inventionin the context of a piece of furniture with a drawer.

FIG. 7 is an exploded elevational cross sectional view of an embodimentof the invention in the context of a piece of furniture with a drawer.

FIG. 8 is an exploded elevational cross sectional view of an embodimentof the invention in the context of a piece of furniture with a drawer.

FIG. 9 is an elevational cross sectional view of an embodiment of theinvention in the context of a piece of furniture with a drawer.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternativeforms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood,however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to theparticular

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, a piece of furniture 10, such as a dresser, has adisplay system 20, and according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, comprises an overlaying panelar frame 22 and at least oneelongated fastener 24. The overlaying panelar frame 22 further comprisesa primary frame 26 defining a primary opening 28. As depicted, theprimary frame 26 comprises a generally rectangular shape with arectangular opening. The primary frame 26 can also comprise anyconventional polygonal, circular or 20 elliptical shape, wherein theprimary opening 28 can have a matching or different shape. The elongatedfastener 24 can comprise a threaded shank 30 and a head 32 for rotatingthe shank 30.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, in one aspect, the overlaying panelar frame 22can further comprise a secondary structure 34 configured as ornamentalframe portions positioned within the primary opening 28 defined by theprimary frame 26. The primary frame has four frame members 35. In oneaspect, the secondary structure 34 can comprise a lattice structure forpresenting a particular pattern within the primary frame 26. Thesecondary structure 34 can be affixed or integral to the primary frame26 as shown in FIG. 3 or a separate component that can be separated fromthe primary frame 26. In one aspect, the secondary structure 34 canfurther comprise at least one ornamental frame portion 36 each defininga secondary opening 38 within the larger primary opening 28.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4-8, in one aspect, the elongated fastener 24 canfurther comprise a handle 40 fitted over the head 32 for gripping androtating the shank 30. The handle 40 allows for tool-less operation ofthe elongated fastener 24. In another aspect, the elongated fastener 24can comprise an end cap 42 defining a threaded bore hole 44 for engagingthe end of the shank 30. In this configuration, the shank 30 is threadedfrom the opposite side of the display system 20. The handle 40 and theend cap 42 can be colored and shaped to match the aesthetic appearanceof the overlaying panelar frame 22. The handle 40 and end cap 42 can beconfigured to serve as handles for certain furniture components such asdrawers or cabinet doors.

As shown in FIG. 1, in operation, the overlaying panelar frame 22 isreleasably affixed to a mounting surface by threading the fastener 24through the overlaying panelar frame 22 and into the mounting surface.In an embodiment of the present invention, the overlaying panelar frame22 and the secondary structure 34 are integrated such that theintegrated overlay panel-secondary structure assembly 22, 34 are affixedto the mounting surface as a single unit. In another embodiment, thesecondary structure 34 is separately affixed to the mounting surface.The fastener 24 can be removed to separate the overlaying panelar frame22 from the mounting surface. At least one interchangeable panel 46 canbe positioned between the overlaying panelar frame 22 and the mountingsurface such that the interchangeable panel 46 is sandwiched between theoverlaying panelar frame 22 and the mounting surface to maintain theinterchangeable panel 46 against the mounting surface. Theinterchangeable panel 46 is visible through the primary opening 28 toaffect the aesthetic appearance of the mounting surface. As shown inFIG. 5, a picture or a printed image can be placed beneath the secondarystructure 34 such that the ornamental frame portion 36 engages the edgeof the picture or printed image to retain the picture or printed imagesuch that the picture or printed image is visible through the secondaryopening 38.

As shown in FIGS. 3-7, in one embodiment, the primary frame 26 cancapture and engage the edges of the interchangeable panels 46 tomaintain the interchangeable panels 46 against the mounting surface. Inthis configuration, the secondary structure 34 can serve as a retentionstructure aiding the primary frame 26 in maintaining the panels 46against the mounting surface. Alternatively, the primary frame 26 andthe secondary structure 34 can be separately affixed to the mountingsurface, wherein the primary frame 26 cooperates with the mountingsurface to define a slot for receiving the interchangeable panels 46. Inthis configuration, the secondary structure 34 is then placed over theinterchangeable panels 46 and separately affixed to the mounting surfaceto maintain the interchangeable panels 46 within the slot defined by theprimary frame 26.

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the mounting surface can comprise aplanar surface 48 of a furniture component 10. As depicted, thefurniture component can comprises headboard, but can also include anyfurniture component with a planar surface such as a footboard, drawer,or cabinet. The description of the furniture component 50 is notintended to be limiting, but to aid in the description of the displaysystem 20.

In another embodiment, the mounting surface can comprise a secondarypanel 52 that can be engage to furniture component 50. Mounting thedisplay system 20 to the secondary panel 52 rather than directed to thefurniture component 50 permits the display system 20 to be installed asa pre-assembled modular component on the assembled furniture item.

The interchangeable panels 46 can be arranged in a stack such that onlythe top most interchangeable panel 46 is visible through the primaryopening 28. In one aspect, the interchangeable panels 46 can comprise athin polymeric material that can be colored or to which a pattern can beapplied. A transparent panel 54 can be placed above the top-mostinterchangeable panels 46 to prevent discoloration of or damage to theinterchangeable panels 46.

In one embodiment, each interchangeable panel 46 can define at least onebore hole 56 corresponding to each fastener 24. In this configuration,the fastener 24 can intersect each bore hole 56 when inserted throughthe overlaying panelar frame 22 to prevent radial movement of theinterchangeable panels 46 relative to the fastener 24. In one aspect, aplurality of flexible fingers 58 can be positioned around each bore hole56 to engage the fastener 24 to prevent tearing of the bore hole 56 bythe threaded shank 30 of the fastener 24. In this configuration, theelongated fastener 24 can further comprise a spacer 60 for preventingaxial movement of the interchangeable panels 46 along the shank 30 toprevent tearing of the bore hole 56 by the threaded shank 30.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method ofreleasably affixing at least one interchangeable panel 46 to a mountingsurface comprises providing an overlaying panelar frame 22 defining atleast one primary opening 28 and at least one elongated fastener 24. Themethod further comprises positioning the interchangeable panel 46against the mounting surface and positioning the overlaying panelarframe 22 over the interchangeable panel 46 to sandwich theinterchangeable panel 46 between the overlaying panelar frame 22 andmounting surface. The method also comprises threading the fastener 24through the overlaying panelar frame 22 and interchangeable panels 46such that the end of the fastener engages the mounting surface to affixthe overlaying panelar frame 22 to the mounting surface, wherein theinterchangeable panel 46 is visible through the primary opening 28.

In one aspect, the mounting surface can comprise a planar surface 48 ofa furniture component 10. In yet another aspect, the mounting surfacecan comprise a secondary panel 52 to form a modular display system 20for the interchangeable panels 46. In this configuration, the methodfurther comprises affixing the secondary panel 52 to a planar surface 48of a furniture component 10, which is a dresser with a drawer.

In one aspect, a plurality of interchangeable panels 46 can bepositioned between the overlaying panelar frame 22 and the mountingsurface. In this configuration, the method can further comprise stackingthe plurality of interchangeable panels 46 such that the outermostinterchangeable panel 46 is visible through the primary opening 28 inthe overlaying panelar frame 22. The method also comprises shuffling theplurality of interchangeable panels 46 to change the outermostinterchangeable panel 47.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 7, each interchangeable panel 46, in the stack62, has opposing sides 64, 66, and four side edges 68, 70, 72, 74. Theoverlaying panelar frame 22 has four frame members 80, 82, 83, and 84.Each frame member may have a recess 88 having two surfaces 93, 95 formedtherein to face the mounting surface 48. The recesses, in combination,capture all four side edges 68, 70, 72, 74 of the all of the decorativeinterchangeable panels. The recesses 88, the planar mounting surface 48,and the framework or lattice work 91 define a pocket 100 for retainingthe stack of panels. The panels are retained by the peripheral inwardlyfacing surfaces 93, as well as being physically pinched or constrainedbetween the surface 48 and the inwardly, toward the door, surface 95 ofthe overlaying panelar frame, and by the fastener, the screw positionedin the hole of the panels in the stack.

FIG. 7 illustrates by way of the dashed lines 90 that an intermediaryframe member can be positioned between the overlaying panelar frame andthe planar mounting surface 48. Said member can have a recesscorresponding to the shape and depth of the stack or a partial thicknessof the stack if the outer panel, the overlaying panelar frame memberreceives a portion of the thickness of the stack. A spacer 89 cansecurely position the individual decorative panel in the stack bymatching or being slightly oversized to the aperture extending throughthe panels.

As an example, the panels may be in an embodiment 0.015 to 0.025 inchesthick, and have a length of 14 to 24 inches, and a height of 3.5 to 7inches, and a surface area of one side, the front or the back, of 40 to200 square inches. The stack can, in embodiments, have a thickness of0.125 to 0.325 inches. Obviously, different thicknesses may be utilized.

Referring to FIG. 8, another embodiment utilizes a recess 92 conformingto the size of the panels and a depth corresponding to the thickness ofthe stack in the mounting surface 48 of the furniture item 10 to receivethe stack of panels. Then the overlaying panelar frame lays flush on thesurface 48 with the uppermost panel essentially laying flush with thesurface 48 as well.

Referring to FIG. 9, in an embodiment, the overlaying panelar frame 22,may be formed of polymer, for example an injection molded polymer, thathas the lattice work 118 on the outside surface formed as part of themolding and defusing viewing windows 119. A locating nub 120 can also bepart of the molded frame and fit into a cooperating hole 121 in thefurniture item panel 122. The stack 126 of decorative panels 128 isconstrained on each side of a six sided pocket 131 and is immovabletherein with respect to the pocket and mounting surface until theassembly is disassembled by detaching the knob 134 from the bolt 136 orscrew. The

In other embodiments, there may only be a single panel in the pocket100, with the depth, in the z direction, of the pocket being less and/orthe thickness of the replaceable panel being greater. In embodiments,the overlaying panelar frame constrains the stack in both directions ofeach of the x, y, and z axis of the x-y-z coordinate system. The panelscan be removed only by disassembly, the means of disassembly not obviousby the appearance of the furniture item.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including anyaccompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps ofany method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination,except combinations where at least some of such features and/or stepsare mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanyingclaims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative featuresserving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly statedotherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each featuredisclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent orsimilar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoingembodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novelcombination, of the features disclosed in this specification (includingany accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, orany novel combination, of the steps of any method or process sodisclosed.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternativeforms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and described in detail. It is understood, however, that theintention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodimentsdescribed. To the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A piece of furniture with a display system securing a stackof interchangeable decorative panels on a planar mounting surface of thepiece of furniture, each of the decorative panels having two sidessurfaces and four side edges, the display system comprising: anoverlaying panelar frame having a plurality of viewing windows, theoverlaying panelar frame positioned over the stack of interchangeabledecorative panels such that the overlying panelar frame surrounds andconstrains one side surface, four side edges, and holds theinterchangeable decorative panels against the planar mounting surface,the stack having an outermost decorative panel visible through theplurality of windows, the overlaying panelar frame secured to the pieceof furniture at the mounting surface by an elongate fastener.
 2. Thepiece of furniture with the display system of claim 1, wherein the stackof decorative panels are each of a different visual appearance.
 3. Thepiece of furniture with a display system of claim 1, wherein each of thedecorative panels has an aperture therein, the apertures in alignmentwhen the panels are in the stack, and wherein the fastener extendsthrough the apertures of the decorative panels.
 4. The piece offurniture with a display system of claim 4, wherein each of theinterchangeable decorative panels further comprises a plurality offlexible fingers surrounding the apertures, whereby the plurality offlexible fingers flex individually.
 5. The piece of furniture with adisplay system of claim 1, wherein each of the decorative panels areengaged at their apertures with a spacer that has a diameter greaterthan a shaft of the fastener.
 6. The piece of furniture with a displaysystem of claim 5, wherein the spacer is unitary with the overlayingpanelar framework.
 7. The piece of furniture with a display system ofclaim 3 wherein a second elongate fastener secures the overlayingpanelar frame to the mounting surface and the piece of furniture withthe display system further comprises a pair of knobs outwardly exposedand each attached respectively to one of the two elongate fasteners. 8.The piece of furniture with a display system of claim 3 wherein thepiece of furniture is one of: a bed, a dresser, a drawered furnitureitem, and a cabinet.
 9. A piece of furniture with display system forreleasably affixing at least one interchangeable panel to a verticalmounting surface of a furniture component, comprising: a overlayingpanelar frame mounted to the mounting surface to define a six sidedpocket with one side defined by a lattice work of the slot for receivingthe at least one interchangeable panel; an elongated fastener extendingfrom the panelar frame to the mounting surface to retain the panelarframe to the mounting surface; a plurality of visually different panelsin a stack retained in the six-sided pocket, the stack immovablyconstrained with respect to the pocket at six sides of the six sidedpocket.
 10. The display system of claim 9 wherein a knob is attached tothe elongated fastener and the knob is engaged with the overlayingpanelar frame compressing the panelar frame against the mountingsurface.
 11. The display system of claim 9, wherein at least 4interchangeable panels are stacked and sandwiched between the overlayingpanelar frame and the mounting surface, and wherein only an outermostinterchangeable panel is visible through the primary opening.
 12. Thedisplay system of claim 9, wherein the decorative panels are each of adifferent visual appearance.
 13. The display system of claim 9, whereinthe overlaying panelar frame further comprises at least one ornamentalframe portion defining a secondary opening, wherein the ornamental frameportion is adapted to engage and retain at least one of a picture andprinted image against an inside of the overlaying panelar frame suchthat a portion of the picture or printed image is visible through thesecondary opening.
 14. Wherein a knob is attached to the elongatedfastener and the fastener is a bolt extending entirely through a panelof which the mounted surface is part.
 15. A method of releasablyaffixing at least one interchangeable decorative panel to a mountingsurface of a furniture item, the furniture item having a primarydecorative finish, the at least one decorative panel having two sidedisplay surfaces and at least one decorative side of each decorativepanel having an appearance differing from that of the primary finish,the method comprising: providing an overlaying panelar frame having aplurality of viewing windows; placing the at least one interchangeabledecorative panel between the overlaying panelar frame and the mountingsurface; positioning the interchangeable panel against the mountingsurface with the at least one decorative panel therebetween therebyforming a pocket with a rectilinear prism shape positioned between themounting surface and the overlaying panelar frame and the at least onedecorative panel captured therein; securing the overlaying panelar frameto the mounting surface whereby the at least one interchangeabledecorative panel is immovably constrained therein with respect to themounting surface.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising using athreaded fastener to secure the overlaying panelar frame to the mountingsurface.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the mounting surfacecomprises a planar surface of a furniture component and the overlayingpanelar frame has a rectangular shaped periphery and the methodcomprises constraining the at least one interchangeable decorative panelby the periphery extending entirely around the at least oneinterchangeable decorative panel.
 18. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising: stacking at least two interchangeable panels and securingthem in the pocket, wherein only the outermost interchangeable panel isvisible through the viewing windows.
 19. A furniture item having a setof interchangeable decorative panel in a stack stored there in, the itemcomprising: A panel having an exteriorly exposed vertical mountingsurface; An overlaying panelar frame having a lattice work defining aplurality of windows, the overlaying panelar frame attached to themounting surface and defining a pocket therein wherein the set ofinterchangeable decorative panels are retained, the pocket constrainingthe set on six sides whereby the interchangeable decorative panelscannot be removed without removing the overlaying panelar frame from themounting surface.
 20. The furniture item of claim 19 further comprisinga knob attached to an elongate fastener extending through the panel andoverlaying panelar frame, the knob and elongate fastener securing theoverlaying panelar frame to the mounting surface.